I've been asked if George Henry 'Cuba George' Sowers served in the military during the Civil War. I do not recall Hunter Branson McKay ever mentioning that his grandfather served during the war. I know he would have been in the right age group.
The person who asked if George H. Sowers had a war record--could have read all the postings from micofilms posted on your site "Rosters of Men Who Served VA from the lower Shenandoah Valley". And answered their own question. My book dealing with Sowers Family is also on line. Some of the other Sowers & Kerfoot men who served I believe I recorded that information.
I did about a year ago, perhaps longer, send you the men ones who served from Fauquier Co.VA and I have not seen it posted on your site.
There are also various persons who have compiled books dealing with the various companies of the Civil War units. In my personal library I just have "2nd Virginia Infantry" by Dennis E. Frye and the one by Kenneth L. Stiles "4th Virginia Cavalry" (my gr-gr-grandfather John Washington Ball & his brother and brother-in-law named). Fairfax Public Library has a complete set of these books and I am sure most large libraries do as well. Most of these books have pictures of some of the soldiers.
There are rolls of micofilm which contain the pay slips for the various soldiers who served in the Civil War from the various companies and States. Fairfax Public Library has the ones dealing with our families living in VA and I have viewed a few of them. The library does have some of the other States--Federal & C.S.A. but I have not found the time to view them.
Prior to the Civil War, researchers will find in land deeds, persons taking oaths to serve in their local militia. I am assuming when I abtract the lands deeds for Warren & Clarke counties, VA I will find the same information.
In all these sources, I have never found my gr-gr-grandfather George H. Sowers, so I will assume Hunter Branson McKay was correct in his information about said G.H. Sowers. If someone went in place of another person I do not know if that information could have been recorded. I got the opinion from H.B.M. notes he thought the name "John Smith" was really not his real name.
Ancestry.Com (paid site) has military records on line, but I do not known if they have the actual images on line or just abtractions. Most of the large libraries have Ancestry.Com for "free"-- people just have to go to the library. To get it on your home computer will cost -- a couple hundred dollars per year. They have different plans so the cost will vary.
L.D.S. Church and Ancestry have not settled "their differences", but call your local branch for the latest information on that issue.
Duane L. Borden compiled in book form cemetery records dealing with Warren Co. VA in 1990's, included in his book Prospect Hill Cemetery of Front Royal, VA with Soldiers Circle--names of soldiers.
Also included Mosby Monument of Prospect Hill Cemetery, Confederate Monument of Front Royal, Battle of Front Royal Monument, Front Royal, Korean-Vietnam Memorial of Front Royal, World War I, World War II of Front Royal, VA
I have the book in personal library, if others need a name looked up, I believe the book is out of print.
I am going to the public library today and check the pay roll films for the various C.S.A. that our McKay, Kerfoot, Sowers & Johnston records exist. The library does have various other C.S.A. soldiers for the other states, but no Federal Troops records.
I am interested in trying to solve the problem of John I. Johnson (other records John J. Johnston), listed on the monument as Private in Co. E VA Cav., the compiled book has him killed at Gettysburg, PA. My first look at the above film, stated that he was a student in Alexandria, when he joined the C.S.A. So my original thought that John J. (I.) Johnston who married into Brownley family, was wrong. I believe both were deceased by 1850 census. Could have been his son, I just to do not known.
I am trying to find documentation that John J. (I) Johnston & Morgan Johnston were brothers who married into the Brownley Family. My main goal to find documentation as to their parents and was my Matilda Johnston who married Wm. Mitchell was their sister.
Found on Reel 32 17th Inf. the record of John I. Johnston age given as 18 years as of 18th Apr 1861, student in Alexandria, VA when he enlisted.
So he would be the son of John J or I & Emily (Brownley) Johnston. I will have to wait after abtracting Clarke Co. VA land deed and wills to see if I can find the names of their children.
John I. Johnston who was killed during the war, in his civil war file, gave the name of his home as "Clover Hill" in Warren Co. VA.
In my Sowers book the couple Cassius D. Laws (b. 1857,d. 1925) and his wife Alice M. Sowers (daughter of John W. & Mary E. MITCHELL Sowers) lived in "Clover Hill". His father owned a hotel in Fauquier Co. VA. So I guess he purchased the land in Warren Co. VA for himself.
What I am seeking is-- Was Clover Hill owned at one time by a member of Johnston Family?
Hope to find the answer when I read the Warren Co. VA land deeds, there should be a transfer of the property in those records.
What I am seeking is the documentation between my Matilda (Johnston) Mitchell and John I. Johnston and Morgan Johnston--that they were siblings.
I "Google" the "Clover Hill" and up pop a farm of 72 acres with various buildings. However it does not say who owned the property in the past. It is for sale located adjacent to The Shenandoah Valley County Club and joins Bowling Green County Club. This posting as a map of the area showing the property and other's lots.
Another posting of cemetery listing has the farm with only one grave given of Mary Eliza Bowen the third daughter of Edwin & Eliza F. Bowen. Signs of other grave located at the burial ground. Said daughter born 25 Aug 1852 and died 30 Dec 1852. So I think I am looking for ownership with the Bowen family and will have to see who they sold it to at a later date.
The said couple Edwin Bowen & Eliza F. JOHNSTON married in Warren Co. VA 26 Mar 1844
In the event you are still looking for the owners of Clover Hill, it was previously owned by French Tolliver, Sr. who passed on within the last 8 years. The real estate agent listed on the website, Scott Reid, is Mr. Tolliver's son-in-law and part owner of the property now. Some previous research that I had conducted showed where shortly after Dr. Law's death, Great, Great Aunt Alice Sowers Laws had an auction in 1926. Each and every item sold is recorded in the books at the Warren Co Courthouse. There were most likely one or two owners of the property between the time that Alice died and Mr. Tolliver obtained the property. I believe he obtained the property in the late 40s or early 50s. This property is located directly across from my father's home place on Rockland Road. His mother, Velma Sowers Powers, was Alice Sowers Laws' niece and your Etta's sister.
Also, if you are looking for a connection to info about the farm, Gentley, in Warren County, please contact Maurice Bowen at email address: moosebowen@yahoo.com
He would welcome your inquiry and is very knowledgeable about his home place.
My real interest in finding out more about the property is now it came into the hands of Edwin Bowen & his wife Eliza Frances Johnston.
I am more interested in finding out about said Eliza F. Johnston's family--sisters, brothers, parents & uncles & aunts ?
Of course finding the modern location of the various farms of Warren Co. VA, will help me and others find the locations of our ancestors farms in the county.
Hope to find out more as I go through Warren, Clarke & Shenandoah counties land deeds.
Found in the notes, really need to index all of them. The late Hunter B. McKay had visited "Clover Hill" stated the home of his aunt.
Found in the book "Pedigrees of Some of The Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants" Vol 11, p. 74
"Edwin Bowen b. Fauquier Co. VA Oct 1816, died in Sikesville? Maryland 30 Nov 1876, Nov 30 1876; m. in Clarke Co. VA, Mar 26,1844, Eliza Frances Johnston, b. in Clark Co. VA Dec 17, 1823,; d. at Front Royal, VA, Apr 15 1918, dau. of John I. Johnston and Emma Brounley"
His line back to Charlemagne through his mother Amelia Tutt, his father Col. James Bowen born 1 Sep 1787 in Fauquier Co. VA, d. in Warren Co. VA 12 Feb 1837, son of Lt. Thomas Bowen who served in the Revolution, and Sally Winterton.
I believe there are other links with the Bowen family with our Kerfoot & Sowers families.
At the moment I am just trying to figure out the Johnston family of Warren/Clarke counties, VA.
I have found some interesting information from the Federal Census 1860,1870,1880 & 1900 census for the couple Edwin Bowen & his wife Eliza Frances Johnston.
Her mother Emma (Brownley) Johnston 65 years of age listed on the Nineveh, Warren Co. VA 1860 census living with said couple. Believe she was the mother of said Eliza F. and wife of John I. Johnston. Her sister E.B. Johnston (female) 22 years also living in the Bowen household.
By 1870 the family living in Front Royal, Warren Co. VA said Emma Johnston not with them.
By 1880 Clarke Co. VA living in Greenway just Eliza Bowen age 55 and four of her children
By 1900 Clarke Co. VA living in Greenway just Eliza Bowen age Dec 1823 only one of her daughters living with her Clara J. Oct 1867. This census record stated that she had 12 children and 8 alive in 1900. I have the names of 11 of their children, the other could have died as infant.
I hope to find in the future that "Clover Hill" once possessed by John I. Johnston and his daughter Eliza F. (Johnston) Bowen came to possess it in some legal transfer. Or perhaps Edwin & Eliza F. Bowen just came to live with the widow of John I. Johnston--Emily/Emma (Brownley) Johnston.
I belive that John I. & Emma Johnston had two sons: John I. & Joseph Johnston both killed in Civil War.
This is the information I have on hand about the family group of Edwin Bowen & Eliza Frances Johnston, found on census, cemetery book, marriage books (Clarke & Warren), death & birth registry (Warren Co. VA).
Emma Johnston (mother of said Eliza F.) was living with said couple for the 1860 Warren Co. VA, not listed on 1870, either living elsewhere or died. Another compiler as abtracted the wills for Clarke Co. VA, but she has missed so much information I am afraid I will have to abtract those documents. I have been through Warren Co. VA I do not seem to find her estate records filed in that location. I hope to find additional information as I go through Warren & Clarke counties, VA land deeds.
Edwin Bowen b. 1816, d. 1876 in MD son of Col. James Bowen, married in Warren Co. VA 26 Mar 1844 to Eliza Frances Johnston. He is found on 1850 Slave Schedule 21 in number, however I can't find that he reported any of their names on Warren Co. VA Birth or Death Registry. Hope to find additional records as to where came to possess them. Living next to them Morgan Johnston. I am trying to prove that said Emily F.'s father John I. Johnston was his brother. Said Morgan Johnston also listed on the 1850 Slave Schedule, so some of said couple's slaves could have come from her father's estate. Now as to their children according to the 1900 Clarke Co. VA census said Eliza F. reported that she was the mother of 12 children and that nine were still living as of 1900.
1. Susan Amelia Bowen b. 1841, m. 12 Dec 1865 in Warren Co. VA to Wm. Bonham, she listed with her parents for 1850 & 1860 census. Can't seem to find them on later census.
2. James Pollard Bowen b. 1845, m. 2 Sep 1873 in Millwood, Clarke Co. to Mary E. Evans, their marriage listed "Bowen, James P. 29 years, single, born in Warren Co. VA, living in Galveston, TX, clerk, parents Edwin & Eliza F. Bowen, said bride 30 years, single, born & living in Clarke Co. VA, parents Hiram P. & Sarah J. Evans", he was listed living with his parents on 1850,1860 & 1870 Warren Co. VA, according to D. Borden's cemetery book: served with Mosby's 43 VA Battalion Cavalry, He and wife listed on 2 Jun 1880 Galveston, TX census: James P. Bowen 36 and his wife Mary E. 36, no children given. If still living in later census, indexed incorrectly.
3. Wm. B. Bowen b. 1846, m. 13 Sep 1881 in White Post, Clarke Co. VA to Emma S. Sommerville, her age given at that time as 24 years, born in Hampshire Co. VA, parents D.Wm. & M.S. Sommerville, he was listed as living with his parents 1850, 1860,1870 & 1880 (just his mother last census) listed as being a doctor, also listed in D. Borden's cemetery book as served in Mosby's 43 VA Battalion Cavalry.
4. Emma T. Bowen b. 1848 m. Hezekiah Clagett, died before 1900 census, she is listed on 1850,1860 & 1870 Warren Co. VA with her parents, she is listed for the 1880 census living in Georgetown, DC with Hezekiah Clagett b. 1845 MD, Emma T. 32, Josephine 2, Edwin 1. However on the 1900 census her mother's household has two grandchildren as: Josephine Clagett Jun 1876 & Howward Clagett Mar 1872. I am assuming she is one of the four children dec'd before 1900.
5. Fannie B. Bowen b. 1850, living with her parents for 1860 & 1870, not on 1880 census, either dec'd or married.
6. Mary Eliza Bowen b. 25 Aug 1852, d. 30 Dec 1852 buried Clover Hill Farm, Warren Co. VA. Only information found for her would be the cemetery record. Obviously one of the four dec'd children of the said Eliza F.
7. Anna Jackson Bowen b. Apr 1854, listed on the Warren Co. VA Birth Registry, listed on 1860, 1870 & 1880 census not with mother 1900.
8. Ella F. Bowen b. Jan 1856, listed on Warren Co. VA Birth Registry, listed on 1860,1870 Warren Co. VA, not for 1880 census
9. Virginia Bowen b. 13 Dec 1857, listed on Warren Co. VA Birth Registry, must have died young not on census.
10. Edwin J. Bowen b. 1859, listed on 1860,1870 & 1880 cenus
11. Lillie Bowen b. 1862 listed on 1870 & 1880 census with parents
12. Clara Bowen b. Oct 1867 listed on 1870,1880 & 1900 census with parents/mother.
Some of the daughters, of course, could have married and without their husband's name I really can't trace them further.
If this group of people turn out to be relations of my Matilda (Johnston) Mitchell, then I will seek out further information at the public library.
Michael--they are your distant Brownley cousins.
Two of the above men served in Mosby's Co., so I should be able to get addtional information on them. I think that Heritage Quest 1910 Warren & Clarke Co. VA has not be indexed correctly. I should be able to find Eliza F. Bowen on that census, but she is not showing. I can check those census on film reader at public auction at a later date.
I missed this information from the book "Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants" Vol 11 page 75.
"Fannie Brounley Bowen, b. July 7,1850 in Clark Co. Va; d. at Greenburgh, N.Y., Nov. 11, 1912; m. at Washington, DC. Apr 15, 1875 Albert Mills Wooster, b. Apr 15, 1850 at Chatham N.Y., d. Nov 25, 1945, at Bridgeport, Conn.".
Their child who submitted the blood into said Society was Myra Estelle Wooster who married James Orton Buck (also a member of the society) had James Orton Buck Jr., Beverley Buck, Julian Randolph Buck & Beatrice Buck.
Said couple found on 12 Jun 1880 DC census: Albert M. Wooster 30, Fannie B. 30, Julian 2, Myra 1.
James Orton Buck was born 10 Sep 1880 in Brantford, Ont. Can. died Lakes Wales, FL 6 Mar 1965, son of James Henry Buck & Margaret Howell. Rather doubt related to the Buck Family of Warren Co. VA.
Now, at least, I know Fannie B. Bowen was not one of the four children deceased before 1900.
I found on 1910 Front Royal, Warren Co. VA the mother Eliza A. Bowen 86 years, widow, living with her son-in-law John Laws 65 and his wife & her daughter Anna J. 54 they married 18 years. They had one child and only alive.
Another researcher years ago send me piece on "La Grange" it being the house of my ancestors Wm. Mitchell & Matilda Johnston.
"The land was given to Eunice Fearnley Fawcett by Wm. and Mercey Borden Fawcett and the house was no doubt built by Richard Fawcett (1806) as it is very similar in every way to other sotne houses built by this (Fawcett) family.
1806 Richard Fawcett to Stephen Davis
1809 Stephen Davis to Wm. Mitchell
1841 Matilda Mitchell (ex of Wm.) & his heirs to JOHN I. JOHNSTON
1849 John I. Johnston & his wife Emma to Matilda Mitchell
1850 Matilda Mitchell to Morgan Johnston
1871 Morgan Johnston in his will to Mrs. Ann Morgan Ashby for life
1889 division of estate Mrs. Burkner Ashby (Ann Morgan) to A. Maude Fritts
1891 George W. Fritts to Wm.F. Powers
1920 Wm. F. Powers to Robert McC. Powers
1934 The Potomac Joint Stock Land Bank to James P. Reardon
The question I have if John I. Johnston was charged in 1847 he was still free to sell said property in 1849. I since have not been able to find him on 1850 census.
It was Frederick Johnston in 1989 who mailed me the time line of the tranfer of the property called "La Grange" from Matilda Mitchell (ex of Wm. Mitchell) to John I. Johnston.
However found Book C,41 dated 16 Mar 1843, probated 17 Mar 1843, said John I. Johnston was indebted to John Brownley and he used as collateral the tract he had purchased from said Matilda Mitchell and the name of the property given as "Pleasant Valley" consisting of the same 225a.
So now I am thinking that my ancestor Wm. Mitchell named his farm "Pleasant Valley" and not "La Grange". It might be the John I. Johnston and Morgan Johnston renamed the farm.
Another family named Mitchell--Mary Mitchell died c1840 in Augusta Co. VA and her farm was called "La Grange". This Mitchell was rather rich and married into Tuley & Brownley families.
I to not know if the wrong name was applied to my ancestor's farm--William Mitchell.
LaGrange was owned by my Great Grandfather William Francis Powers. That property is presently owned by Butch(Edwin) Eastham and is located at the corner of Ashby Station Rd and Rockland Rd in Warren County, about 1/2 mile from Clover Hill. My great grandfather obtained it in 1878, I think it was. I have a copy of the deed in my files. You might also be interested in knowing that there is a Bowen child buried on Clover Hill property, tombstone is present-I can check the name on it the next time I go by if you would like me to.
He was a Justice of the Peace for Warren Co. VA. I am getting closer to the time John I. Johnston was charged with murder. Hope to have more information about the end of the month.
I am looking to place Joseph T. Johnston as one of the sons of John I. Johnston & wife Emily (Brownley)
Joseph T. Johnston was living for 1850 Clarke Co. VA I think with who would have been his Aunt Fanny Brownely.
Joseph T. Johnston & Edwin Bowen sued together in 1869 Shirley C. Ashby in Warren Co. VA.
I think the two above records link him with the family of John I. Johnston.
Hope to find records in the future dealing with Bowens & Johnston
Found on the Civil War Monument as Pvt with Co. 12 VA Cav. Joseph H. Johnson (sic) as being Killed.
Found on the C.S.A. pay roll micofilm has the name just as Joseph Johnson (sic) and really no useful information.
Considering that the Joseph T. Johnston was still alive in 1869 there must have been two different Joseph Johnson & Joseph T. Johnston. I am interested in the last one.
From the Warren Co. VA Minute Index we know that Ann M. Johnston picked Morgan Johnston as guardian in 1850.
I strongly suspect she was the daughter of John I. & Emily (Brownley) Johnston, so she went to live with her Uncle & Aunt, being related to both.
1850 Warren Co. VA Morgan Johnston 50, Nancy 50, Ann M. 6. I do not know if other have her listed at their child or not. Said Nancy/Ann would also be related to her mother's family--Brownley.
Marriage Record in Warren Co. VA: Buckner G. Ashby 26 years, single, born & living in Clarke Co. VA, Farmer, parents Buckner & Sophia G. Ashby married on 13 Mar 1862 to Ann Morgan Johnston, 17 years of age, single born & living in Warren Co. VA, parents Morgan & Nancy Johnston, married by Rev. Robert RR.S. Hough (Methodist Minister)"
Warren Co. VA Birth Registry has two of their children listed:
female ashby born dead Feb 1866, also listed Death Registry.
Alice Maud Ashby born 15 Aug 1869
Found on 1870 Warren Co. VA census: B.G. Ashby 35, Ann M. 26, SOPHIA B. 7, Wm. B. 6, Annie 3, Alice M. 10 months
According to her tomb stone she was born on 18 Feb 1844 and died 20 Mar 1880, buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Front Royal, VA, next to Morgan Johnston & his wife Ann Brownley
1880 Warren Co. VA: B.G. Ashby 45, SOPHIA B. 16, Willie 8, Nettie B. 12, Alice Maud 10.
I have not tried to trace the remaining people on census.
The notes of Hunter B. McKay have not given me direct answers to the ancestry of many of the female lines of his mother's line who was Etta Double Sowers, her father was George H. Sowers and her mother Martha Virginia Sowers. Which is why her middle name was "Double".
Her mother Martha V. Sowers was the daughter John W. Sowers & Mary Emily Mitchell.
It is the families of Mary E. Mitchell I have been trying to find out more. Mary E. Mitchell was the daughter of Wm. Mitchell & Matilda Johnston.
The question I have been picking at-- who were the siblings of said Matilda Johnston-- were they John I. & Morgan Johnstons ?
I found a note in my the Ashby File from Hunter B. McKay's note written by his mother Etta D. (Sowers) McKay
"The Ashbys that I know are not related to the McKays, but to my mother (Mrs. George H. Sowers) through the Mitchels and the Johnstons. Buck Ashby who lived at Ashby Station (now Bayard) married Miss Johnston who was Sophia Ashby's mother--you have heard me speak so often of Sophia"
I think I am on the right tract finding the ancestry of Matilda Johnston, but still need more information from Clarke & Warren Co. records.
I don't know if this could lead to a link to the Ashbys or not, but the lady who previously owned our farm here on Ashby Station Road was named Mary Stuart Jacobs(her maiden name) and it seems to me that I had heard down thru the years that she was related to Ashbys. There is a gentleman by the last name of Dunn in Clarke County who may have something on this-he would have been her great nephew and he is into genealogy. I usually meet up with him at funerals, but will try to make contact with him to confirm a connection.
Found Warren Co. VA Land Deed Book D255, probated 3 Sep 1849, John I. Johnston was living in Alleghany Co. VA. His wife was still living in Clarke Co. VA.
1850 census index for said county list a John T. Johnston (sic). At the moment the image on L.D.S. will not come up. I will check later to see if I can see who was living with him.
Listing of slaves shows he possessed nine slave in 1850. Not listed for that location 1860.
It would appear he was charged with murder but not found guilty. His family unit, however by 1860 census was living in the said various places and I have not found him.
The L.D.S. library has wills and death records for rent, will try those two films at a later date.
The Fairfax Public Library has come through again, found on film the 1850 Alleghany Co. VA census the household of John I. Johnston 55, Emma 55,Ann 21, Emma 12, John 8. Listed as being a farmer.
The L.D.S. system which has 1850 census indexed would not allow the actual image to be viewed.
The Fairfax Public Library has been told by State of VA charges for inter-library loan service from Richmond, VA not allowed. So I am back in business ordering film & books for "free" from State Library.
I will order land deeds & wills for Alleghany Co. VA to see I if I can find out more about John I. Johnston's family. By the 1860 census Emma (the wife) her daughter Emma living with her eldest daughter and son-in-law Edwin Bowen. I do not know what became of Ann Johnston of the 1850 census. Their son John I believe was off to college according to his military pay roll records. The son Joseph F. Johnston living with his aunt for the 1850 Clarke Co. VA census.
I still do not know the relationship of the Ann Morgan Johnston who was adopted by Morgan Johnston & living on the 1850 Warren Co. VA census.
I have order film through Fairfax Public Library three films covering land deeds for Alleghany Co. VA for years 1839-1876 and one film wills for location 1822-1876. I hope to find out more about John I. Johnston. Members of his family for 1860 removed back to Clarke Co. VA. Question is what happened to him ?
Another angle I am looking into the Who were the parents of Ann Morgan Johnston, adopted by Morgan Johnston. I am now looking to find out more about Wm. Johnston who was a young man for 1840 Warren Co. VA, but not listed for the 1850. Was he the father of said Ann, died and Morgan Johnston then adopted her ? I will re-order early Warren Co. VA wills to see if I can find him.